Brake for hoisting apparatus.



J. A. SHEPARD.

' BRAKE FOR 'HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED HAY 5,1909.

Patented May 2, 1911 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

NTOR

ATTDRNEY WITNESSES:

a. fw/

J. A. SHEPARD.

BRAKE FOB. HOISTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED HAY 5,1909.

wnuzsszsl I E UM.

INVENTOR EA/LL' ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. SHEPARD, OF MONTOUR FALLS, NEW YORK.

BRAKE FOR HOISTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ma y 2, 1911.

Application filed May 5, 1909. Serial No. 494,156.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Janus A. Snnmnn, a.

citizen of the United Htates, residing at Montour Falls. in thecounty oi Schuyler and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful lniproveincnts in Brakes for Hoisting Apparatus, of which the tollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to automatically operated brakes for cranes, hoists, and the like, by which. to control the descent of the load; and the object of my invention is to provide a mechanism of this characterwhich will effectively hold the load in: suspension except when the driying motor rotates in the lowering direction, and which during the descent of the load will prevent, any tendency for the speed of the motor to accelerated by the load. I

To accomplish. my object advantage is taken ofthe fact that the stationary gear of 'a planetary train of gearing, or the support of an idle gear of an ordinary train of gear ing, while normally stationary when the train of gearing" is in operation, may, if given some latitude for motion, respond by a slight corresponding movement to every change in the intensity or direct-ion'ot force transmitted by the gear train. Hence, if the above mentioned stationary gear or support for an. idler gear is connected .in appropriate manner to abrake ELCtlI g through the medium of a ratchet upon one of the revolub'le members of the gear train, an application of the brake will be efi'ected automatically, which, responding in its intensity to all the variations in resistance of the load being moved, assumes a braking eitect always ,in perfect balance with the effort of the load to run down. If the braking effort is so proportioned. as to be slightly in excess of the cflfort of the load to run down, the load will, R

therefore, remain suspended in any position at whichdthe' hoisting efiort transmitted through the gearing ceases. A slight applis cationof power through the gear train in a lowringidirection causes a reversal in di rectionipf rthe .forces which set thesbrake, and

thebrake tension is decreased until the brake sli it and theloaddescends.

or atbetter understanding of my invention referencemay belied to the. accompany:

ing drawingsin whichyl. have illustrated two mcthojds by which itmay be ;made oper ative; and in which'--'" Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section through a hoisting apparatus showing a winding drum and suspended load driven by a train of planetary gears equipped with my brake mechanism; Fig. 2,, a trans.

verse section of the same on line 0-a. in Fig. 1'. Fig. 3. a vertical longitudinal section of] a modified form of the apparatus, showing;- the winding drum and suspendcdlrmd driven by an ordinary train of gears: and Fig. 4-, a transverse section on the line b-'-Z in Fig. 3.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the gear train is shown housed in a case 1, closed atv one end by an integral head, and at the other by a removable head 2, in whicl'i latter head there is mounted a driving shaft 3, which will be driven by an electric motor,- or other suitable motive power. Upon the insideof head 2, shaft 3 is provided with a driving:

pinion 4, which meshes with the planetary gears 53, mounted on a revoluble disltfi, at-

tached to the drum shaft 7, upon which the drum 8 is shown partly in elevation, with a weight 9 suspended from a. cable wound thereon.

The gears 5. are iumesh with internal gear teeth formed on the normally stationmy ring 10., This gear ring is provided with screw threads around its outer periphery, which enga 52ethreads 11' on the case 1. The inward face ot' the ring 10 is adapted to engage the brake ring 12, which is loosely mounted with n the case around the disk 6 and is adapted to be set up against a brake, surface provided therefor on the head of the case, friction rings of suitable material being inserted at each side of the brake ring. On its inner periphery the brake ring is provided with ratchet teeth 13, which are engaged by one or more pawls 14, mounted in the disk '6, as shown in Fig. 2.

gear ring 10, I provide the ring with a recess at 15, into which projects apin lti, in:

joint through the top of sorted by a screw the case. At one side of the case is a cylindrical oil chamber forming a. dashpot, in-whichis mounted the-piston 17 provided with a small passageway 18, and coupled' tdthe ring" '10" by means of the connecting rod 19. Oil is introduced into thebottom'of the case. to I through the v 1.

the level indicated 'in Fig. 2= charging cup '20.

For limiting the rotative motion of, the

The operation of the apparatus .is as follows :-When the shaft 3 is' rotated in a; di-

rectioil to lift the load of the gears 5, owing -to.the resistance of the load, will first act to turn the ring 10, causing it to rotate screw-wise on the threads 11, and pressing and the brake rin it against the brake ring 12; the gear ring being thus locked to- .gether in immovab e. position. .The gears movement, in this direction, of the disk and :5 will then travel around the gear ring 10, lmpartmgm'otion to the disk 6, and to the drum shaft to raise the load; the pawls and ratchet teeth 14 and 13 permitting the free drum shaft. When the driving effort pass through shaft 3 is discontinued the re'y' ersal of the direction of rotation of the drum to lower the "load is prevented by the pawls on the disk 6 engagin the ratchet teeth on the fixed brake ring. tatedin aldirsction to lower the load, the gears 5 will act upon the gear ring to turn it in the reverse. direction, thereby causing it to move outward on the screw threads,

.releasin 'the brake ring 12, and permitting it .to'sllp and turn with the disk 6 in the lowering direction. Should the velocity'of rotationof the winding drum, andconsequently that of. the disk 6, exceed a speed corresponding to that of'the shaft 3, such exspe'ed in the disk 6 will act through the gears'5 to turn the ear ring 10, and

again set it up against t 1e brake ring 12,

ciallytrue since the heatgenerated by the brake is absorbed, by the lubricant, which by; circulation distributes the heat, so that itwi 1 var'iation' in the thereby retarding the motion of the brake .ring,and consequently the motion of thedisk- G'throug'hthe pawl and ratchet connection; thus either retarding the lowering speed or brin ing the winding drum to rest, according to t e intensity of the reaction setup in the ear ring 10.

l have ound' in practice that, to prevent disturbance .of the action. of the brake by the inertia and momentum of the parts which-apply the brake pressure, it is neat essary to provide a dashpot or its equivalent to avoid suddenyari-ations in the brake tension andconseq'uent chattering. Thus .each v 'sition of the gear ring 10 is accompanied a correspondin movement of the connecting rod 19 an piston 17, which, by means of the vent 18, permits the movement at a rate-of speed controllable v p by the .capacitypf the vent; thus powerfully reslstingany tendency to rapid"chan'ge's of osltion whlchimi ht develop into a'chatter.

have alsqH-foun since-the etiiciencymnd durability of both the geari and brake 911!- faces are roved b. b,e1-n"f-'art1y' sub merged in In ricant,'t atv it'.1s

. esirabll'te place both the brake and gearing in a common ath of lubricant. This is espeberadiated from the large area of theiconr' monmclosing case.-- I' therefore provide the f the shaft 3 be now ro-- "braking .surface,which, in. these; time, is provided'on; the head of'thergear ease; the normally stationary member be} ing; in the onecase', the-gear ring 10' and, =in

. W at- 1 inon mclosm case 1, allowingthem-to'rnn oil filler 20 by which the level of the oiLih the bottom of the case may be maintained at a suflicient depth to effect this lubrication of the several parts, as shown in Fig. 2-.

In order that the longitndinal movement of the'gear ring 10 may never exceed the maximum re uired for regulating the pressure delivere -to the-brake ring, and also to provide a positive resistance to the .reaction of the-gear ring when the brake is released, I provide the stop pin 16, andithe recess 15, which latter is made of'the.

cssary Width to permit sutlicient movenient of the gear ring to release or effectually grip the brake ring. r

In the modification shown in Figs., 3 and 11 with an inward hublilre pro ection on:

the head 2 of the case, The gears 5 are thus idle gears, and theymesh with the internal gear on the ring 6 mounted on the.drum

shaft 7. This gear ring 6" is provided on its outer periphery with ratchet teeth 13,-and

4, the intermediate gears 5 are mount P 1 a normally stationar di k locysalda disk having screw threadezi enga ment at the brakering 12" is providedwithone or more pawls 14 to engage. these ratchet teeth. In this construction the connecting rod 19 is coupled to the disk 10.

in the direction to lift the load, the resist- In operation, when the shaft 3 is rotated,

ance of the load will first'hold the-gear ring v 6 stationary, thereby causing the gears 5 toproduce a partial rotation of thedisk-lO", thereby setting up the disk a ainst the brake and of the winding drum; ,the ratchetand pawls 135 and 14" ermitting freedom of motion in this direction. When the shaft3.

m" ring 12, and rendering bet the fdisk and the brake ring stationary. Continued."rota tion of'the shaft 3 will then, through the idlers 5, cause? rotation of the (gear r ng 6t, 165

is'broug'ht to rest, the brake ring 12"wi ll I hold the load suspended through the -co-ac-' tion of the 'pawl and ratchet gear; and,. when the shaft is reversed to lower the load,- -the disk 10'. will firstjbe eased ofl to release the brake rin and the subsequent action of the load, in owering, will be the same as heretofore described m connection the planetary gear-train mechanism, 1

It will be noted that in either form, the,

gears 5, which mate with the driving. gear 4,

impart the motion. tothe'normally station.-

by the gear train} is'cau'sed to react 1 I ary memben'whergby the. eiiofrttran'sniittedr .onthe Iustra-Qy:

the other case, he disk 10'? upon-which the mat-in "genre 5 are mounted.

Wi der-have thus shown my r venues as applied ,to two different forms of gear-- trains, I'do not. in'any sense limit myself in thisres 'ieet, as many methods'ot application n'iay be devised without departing trom the spirit of my HIYQHtIQH.

' \Vhat l elaii'n and desire to seen re by Leta tors Patent isi l p at train haying a normally stationar member, means for permittin 'a partial rotation of said member to a positively limited extent, and a brake adaptedjto be aetu ated by the mo'rement ol, said member.

2. A gear train having a normally station .u'ymember, means tor pern'iitting a partial rotation of said member to a positively limited extent, means whereby such partial rot: in'willeli'eet longitudinal motion in said member, and a brake adapted to be actuated by thelongitudinal motion of said member. vEl. Algear train l'iaring a normally stationarymom.ier,1neans for permitting partial rotatlidn of said member to a positively lim ited. extent, a brake adapted to be artuated by the movement. of said member, and ronnot-ting means between the brake and a meml' ei' ot the gear train wl'u-reby the bra lit, will otter no material resistance to rotation of the gear traini'n one direction and will arise resistance to rotation in the opposite direction.

4. A. gear train. having a normally stationary member, means for permitting a partial rotation of said member to a positively limited extent, a revoluble brake ring, means whereby the partial rotation of said member will effect longitudinal motion in the member to move it against the brake ring and set the ring against braking surface, and connecting means between the brake ring and a. driven member of the gear train whereby the ring will offer no material resistance to rotation of the gear train in one direction and will cause resistance to rota- I tion in the opposite direction.

5. A gear train harin g a normally stationn'ieruber, means for permitting a partial rotation .of said member, a brake adapted to be actuated by the partial rotation of said member, and means for controlling the veloeity of movement of said memliier.

6. A gear train having a normally stationary member, means for permitting a' partial rotation ot said member, a brake adapted to be actuated by the partial rotation oi said n'iei'nber, a dashpot, and a (.ormeethm be tween said member and the tltlF-llll'lflt.

7. A. gear train having a normally stationary member, means for permitting a partial rotation. of said member, a bra In adapted to be actuated. by the partial rotation of said member, and a ease for the gear train and brake containing a bath of tluid lubrirant in which the gear train and brake are partially immersed.

8, A gear train. 'having a normally stationary member, means for permitting par-- tial rotation of said member, a ease within which the gear train is mounted, said case being provided with a braking surface, and. means whereby the effort trz'insn'iitted by he gear train will be caused to react through said member upon the braking surface.

9. 3L gear train, a'bralie, a case within which the gear train and brake are mounted, said case being provided with a braking surfaee, means automatically acted upon by the effort transmitted by said gear train to set and release the brake, and a bath of fluid lubricant contained in the ease in which the gear train, brake and braking surface are.

partially immersed.

10. A gear train comprising a driving gear, a mating gear, a member susceptible of partial rotation by the mating gear in either direction about the axis'of the driving gear, a. brake, and means aetuatedby the partial rotation of said member in. one direction. or the other to set or release the brake.

it. A gear train eompr ang a. drii 'ing gear, a mating gear, a member susceptible of partial rotation by the mating gear in either direction about the axis of the driving gear, a brake, means actuated by the partial rotation of said member in one direction or the other to set or release the brake, and means for ooi'itrolling the velocity of movement of said member.

12. A. gear train comprising a driving gear, a mating gear, a member susceptible of partial rotation by the mating gear about the axis of the driving gear and of longitudinal movementalong said axis, means whereby the partial rotation of said mem her will etl'ert its lungittulinal. movement, and a brake actuated by the longitudinal i'norements of said member.

13. A gear train comprising a driving gear, a mating gear, a member susceptible of part a l otation by the mating gear about the axis of the driving gear and of longitudinal IIIOVUIIIL'Zli, along said axis, means whereby thepartial rotation. of said member will effect its longitudinal movement, a,

brake ring adapted to be set up algaii'ist a braking surface by the longitudinal. move ment of said member, a driven i'nember ooncentric: with the brake ring, and a, pawl and. ratehot gear between the brake ring and the driven member.

'14. A gear train comprising a driving gear, a mating gear, a member SUEJCGPtllJlB of partial rotation by the uniting gear in either direetionabout, the axis of the driving gear, a case Within which the gear train is mount ed, said case being provided with braking surface, means whereby the 'etlort transmitted by the gear train is eaused to reaet through said member upon the braking surface, and a bath oi" fluid luln-ieant in the rase in which the gear train. and braking surface are partially inm'u'vrsed.

15. A planetary gear train in which the ice tibiefof parti ad;

normally the gear whereby the effort transmitted by rough said member V mounted but normally stationa Y member,

means whereby partial rotation,

v Saidm. her to a positlvely limited extent in either y direction will be effected through. the effort transmitted by the gear train, and means whereby the'efiort sq ti'ansmitted caused to react throughsaid member upon a brakthe gear train and means whereby the effort in su f e-4s, A. gear r in .hav

r p a normally statlonary member, means w ereby motion to e imparted so transmitted stationary member is rendered susceptible of partial rotation, and means necting means' Between the brake is caused to react through said member'upon a braking surface.

tionary member, means whereby motion to a positivelylimited extentwill be imparted to said member 5 the'eflort transmitted by the ear traime rake. adated to be actuated y the movement'of sai member, and con and gear train whereby the brake will offer no resistance to rotation in one direction and will causeresistaTnce to direction;

, "20. A gear train hayin tionary member, means w ereby mot-Ion to a limited, extent-will be imparted to said member by the effort transmitted by the gear train, means for controllin the speed of such mot-ion, and means W ereby the efiort so transmitted is caused to react upon a braking'surface. v r

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES A. S HEPA RD.'

a normally sta- Witnesses: M. E. VERBECK, EUGENE DIYEN.

19. A gear: train having a normally sta, 

